The Training of High-Level Competition Football Players from the Perspective of Academy Coordinators

Many efforts are made to identify sporting talent, where the term ‘talent’ means the extraordinary qualities that an individual has, which may be due to genetics, and above all the final outcome of systematic training. Hence training is presented as the prime model for the development of that talent. In this study we look at what the essential elements in achieving success are together with the work carried out at different clubs, according to 7 coordinators belonging to the most important academies in Spain. This research is qualitative, using interviews as its measurement tool. The data were analyzed using the MAXQDA2007 program, showing that the environment surrounding the player, technique, tactics and individual psychology are the critical aspects in the training of young football players.